To Mr. Sam Koo Park, Chairman of Kumho Asiana Group, Mr. Lee, CEO and President of Kumho Tire, Korean Consul General Lee, Governor Deal, distinguished guests, and citizens of Macon-Bibb.

As Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, Macon-Bibb’s Lead Economic Development Authority, I am honored to stand here today on the occasion of the Grand Opening of Kumho Tire, Georgia’s first U.S. tire manufacturing facility in my hometown of Macon GA.
Our mission as the Industrial Authority is to promote the economic well being of Macon-Bibb by creating jobs, creating a strong economic development infrastructure, and mainly ensuring a safe and sustainable economic future for this community.

In 2008/2009, the world experienced the worst economic downturn in a generation, which we did not escape. Despite the tremendous volatility in the global market, this project survived.

In October 2014, Kumho Tire and Macon-Bibb Industrial Authority jointly announced that we would be producing tires here in 2016 -- and here we are.

It is because of the hard work and efforts of many people that this day was made possible including our local elected officials led by Mayor Robert Reichert, Bibb County Commissioners, School Board members, our state delegation, our congressional representatives, Macon Water Authority and Chamber of Commerce partners, a great Industrial Authority Staff and support team, MEDC and countless others.

Many within the community have been looking forward to this day.
Under the wise and astute leadership of Kumho's Chairman Park, hundreds of millions of dollars have been committed to this project’s development following thorough evaluation of the assets and opportunity that lie here, within Macon-Bibb.

This is a testament that we have the right ingredients to attract, create and grow a thriving private sector, which meets the needs of our business partners and supports our community.

I love Kumho’s tagline: Better. Always. This is a simple but powerful statement. While this speaks to the quality of Kumho tires, it also describes the manner in which we must approach our relationships, partnerships and business mindset in this new economy in order to continue to have the economic and social impact we desire for the future growth of our community.

So, as we continue to reimagine our community, let us move forward with unity, purpose, intention and zeal to create the brighter, more economically robust future that will serve to solidify Macon-Bibb as the center of economic growth and development in the Middle Georgia region.

Kumho, we congratulate you on the opening of your first North American Plant and look forward to a long productive partnership.

Thank you for choosing to Macon-Bibb!